Justice News

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February 14, 2013

DMI ASSOCIATE EXILED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON ON DRUG CHARGES

Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett sentenced Kelly Witter, age 27, of Baltimore, Maryland, today to 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to participate in a violent racketeering enterprise known as the Dead Man Incorporated (DMI).

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Special Agent in Charge Steven L. Gerido of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Chief James W. Johnson of the Baltimore County Police Department; Colonel Marcus L. Brown, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; Commissioner Anthony W. Batts of the Baltimore Police Department; Anne Arundel County Police Chief Larry W. Tolliver; Secretary Gary D. Maynard of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein; and Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Frank R. Weathersbee.

According to court documents, DMI was created originally in 2000 as a prison gang in Maryland, and at its inception was closely allied to the Black Guerilla Family (BGF), another prison gang. By 2006, DMI expanded its membership by recruiting members outside prison, including women.

According to Witter’s plea agreement, she was associated with the DMI enterprise and knowingly and willfully became a member of the conspiracy. Witter was trafficking in cocaine, crack and prescription pills with individuals who later became members and leaders of DMI. Witter distributed crack with those DMI members for many months. Witter also obtained and redistributed crack from another member of DMI. By 2009, Witter was frequently in telephone contact with Perry Roark, the Supreme Commander of DMI, and she passed on messages for Roark and provided access to Roark to other members of DMI. Witter also admits that she sold crack cocaine on three occasions in February and March 2010.

Over the course of the conspiracy, Witter is responsible for distributing between 840 grams and 2.8 kilograms of crack cocaine.

Perry Roark, a/k/a Rock, “Pops,” “Slim,” “Saho the Ghost,” age 42, previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison for conspiracy to participate in a violent racketeering enterprise known as the Dead Man Incorporated (DMI).

Mr. Rosenstein praised the FBI, ATF, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; Baltimore County Police Department; Anne Arundel County Police Department; Baltimore City Police Department; the Maryland State Police; Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office; Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office; and Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office for their assistance in this investigation and prosecution.